China-Kazakhstan Ties - May Economic Data - Wang Huning on Deepening Cross-Strait Integrated Development
Here are the key reports and articles that I found noteworthy from the People’s Daily’s edition on Tuesday, June 17, 2025.
Page 1: The main report today is about Xi Jinping’s visit to Astana, where he met with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev ahead of the second China-Central Asia Summit. The report says:
Xi said that “China has always viewed and developed China-Kazakhstan relations from a strategic height and long-term perspective. China is willing to work with Kazakhstan to unswervingly consolidate China-Kazakhstan friendship and make more contributions to regional and even world peace and development with the stability and positive energy of China-Kazakhstan relations.”
He added:
“China and Kazakhstan are at a critical stage of their respective development and revitalization; the two countries should work together to promote all-round cooperation. First, high-level strategic mutual trust should guide the development of bilateral relations. Both sides should continue to firmly support each other on issues involving their core interests and major concerns, promote the docking of development strategies, be strong supporters of each other amid the turbulent international situation, and to be helpful partners in their respective development and revitalization. Second, high-quality BRI cooperation should be used to improve bilateral cooperation. Both sides should consolidate traditional cooperation advantages, such as trade, investment, and energy, promote the construction of cross-border railway projects and the transformation of port infrastructure, improve the level of interconnection, expand high-tech cooperation, and promote green and sustainable development. Third, comprehensive security cooperation should be carried out to safeguard peace and stability of the two countries. Both sides should expand law enforcement and defense exchanges, jointly combat the ‘three evil forces’, and deepen emergency management and disaster prevention and mitigation cooperation. Fourth, diversified people-to-people exchanges should be carried out to solidify the foundation of China-Kazakhstan friendship. Both sides should organise the ‘China Tourism Year’ in Kazakhstan well, and encourage youth, media, think tanks, and sub-national governments to strengthen exchanges.” 习近平强调，中哈都处在各自发展振兴的关键阶段，两国要齐心协力推进全方位合作。一要以高水平战略互信引领双边关系发展，在涉及彼此核心利益和重大关切问题上继续坚定相互支持，推进发展战略对接，在乱云飞渡中做彼此坚强的后盾，在发展振兴中做彼此有益的助力。二要以高质量共建“一带一路”促进两国合作提质升级，巩固贸易、投资、能源等传统合作优势，推进跨境铁路项目建设和口岸基础设施改造，提升互联互通水平，拓展高新技术合作，推动绿色可持续发展。三要以全方位安全合作维护两国和平安宁，扩大执法安全和防务交流，共同打击“三股势力”，深化应急管理和防灾减灾合作。四要以多元化人文交流夯实中哈友好根基，办好哈萨克斯坦“中国旅游年”，鼓励青年、媒体、智库、地方加强交流.
“Xi Jinping pointed out that in the face of the turbulent international situation, China and Kazakhstan should firmly safeguard the international system with the UN at its core and the international order based on international law, practice true multilateralism, and clearly safeguard the common interests of the vast number of developing countries. China highly appreciates Kazakhstan’s extensive preparations for the Second China-Central Asia Summit and believes that this meeting will write a new chapter in China’s cooperation with Central Asia. At the same time, as the rotating chair of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, China is willing to work with all member states to take this year’s Tianjin Summit as an opportunity to make the Shanghai Cooperation Organization more practical and stronger and demonstrate new development, breakthroughs and prospects.” 习近平指出，面对变乱交织的国际形势，中哈双方要坚定维护以联合国为核心的国际体系和以国际法为基础的国际秩序，践行真正的多边主义，旗帜鲜明维护广大发展中国家共同利益。中方高度评价哈萨克斯坦为第二届中国—中亚峰会所做大量筹备工作，相信这次会议将书写中国同中亚合作新篇章。同时，作为上海合作组织轮值主席国，中国愿同各成员国一道，以今年天津峰会为契机，做实做强上海合作组织，展现新发展、新突破、新气象.
Among other things that Tokayev reportedly said, this stands out:
“Under the wise leadership of President Xi Jinping, the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era has made great achievements. Kazakhstan is sincerely happy and firmly believes that China will continue to make greater development achievements. Kazakhstan is willing to deepen strategic mutual trust and all-round mutually beneficial cooperation with China and elevate bilateral relations to a new level.” 在习近平主席英明领导下，新时代中国特色社会主义事业取得伟大成就，哈方由衷感到高兴，坚信中国将不断取得更大发展成就。哈方愿同中方深化战略互信和全方位互利合作，将两国关系提升到新水平.
The two sides inked more than 10 bilateral cooperation documents, covering trade, investment, technology, customs, tourism, media and other areas.
Next, there’s a report on the current NPCSC’s preparations to hold its 16th session. This will be held from June 24 to 27. Xinhua reports:
During the upcoming session, lawmakers will review draft revisions to:
the Public Security Administrative Penalty Law
the Law against Unfair Competition
the Maritime Law
the Fisheries Law
the Civil Aviation Law
They will also discuss draft laws on responding to public health emergencies, and promoting publicity and education on the rule of law.
Also on the table are draft laws on social assistance, and medical insurance, as well as a draft amendment to the Food Safety Law, among others.
In addition, lawmakers will deliberate on a proposal for ratifying the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation. They will also review a report on the central government's final accounts for 2024, an audit report on the execution of the central government's 2024 budget and other fiscal revenue and expenditure, and a report on the development of new quality productive forces.
Next, there’s a report on Wang Huning attending a special meeting on the construction of the cross-Strait integrated development demonstration zone. This was held on the 15th in Xiamen. Several key departments were present at this meeting.
Taiwan Affairs Office of the Central Committee
NDRC
Fujian provincial officials
Ministry of Education
Ministry of Finance
Ministry of Transport
Ministry of Commerce
Ministry of Culture and Tourism
National Immigration Administration
The report says:
Wang said that “it is necessary to adhere to Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as the guide, thoroughly implement the spirit of the 20th Party Congress and the Third Plenary Session, implement the overall strategy of the Party for resolving the Taiwan issue in the new era, and build the Cross-Strait Integrated Development Demonstration Zone with high quality. Wang said that deepening cross-strait integrated development is of great significance and responsibility. It is necessary to focus on the goals and tasks of building the cross-Strait integrated development demonstration zone, strengthen responsibility and commitment, enhance planning and advancement, and launch more innovative measures and outcomes of integrated development. It is necessary to fully leverage Fujian’s unique advantages and pioneering demonstration role in Taiwan, strengthen policy and institutional innovation, and strive to promote cross-strait economic and cultural exchanges and cooperation.” 他表示，要坚持以习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想为指导，深入贯彻落实党的二十大和二十届三中全会精神，贯彻落实新时代党解决台湾问题的总体方略，高质量建设两岸融合发展示范区。王沪宁表示，深化两岸融合发展意义重大、责任重大。要围绕建设两岸融合发展示范区目标任务，强化责任担当，加强谋划推进，推出更多创新性举措和融合发展成果。要发挥福建对台独特优势和先行示范作用，加强政策和制度创新，致力于促进两岸经济文化交流合作.
Wang said that “it is necessary to firmly grasp the focus of cross-strait integration and development, and enhance the coordination of cross-strait integration and development policies and measures. It is necessary to focus on cross-strait integration and development to strengthen innovation and breakthroughs, optimise the business environment related to Taiwan, strengthen care and assistance for Taiwan compatriots and Taiwan enterprises, and attract more Taiwan compatriots and Taiwan enterprises to develop in the mainland and participate in the process of Chinese-style modernisation. It is necessary to respect, care for, and benefit Taiwan compatriots, promote the normalisation of cross-strait personnel exchanges and the regularisation of exchanges and cooperation, enhance the sense of integration and belonging of Taiwan compatriots, and promote spiritual harmony between compatriots on both sides of the strait. We must open up channels for Taiwan youth to develop in the mainland and expand the common circle of friends and career circles of young people on both sides of the strait.” 王沪宁表示，要牢牢把握两岸融合发展的着力重点，增强两岸融合发展政策举措的协同性。要聚力两岸融合发展加强创新突破，优化涉台营商环境，加强对台胞台企的关心帮助，吸引更多台胞台企来大陆发展、参与中国式现代化进程。要尊重、关爱、造福台湾同胞，推动两岸人员往来正常化、交流合作常态化，提升台湾同胞融入感和归属感，促进两岸同胞心灵契合。要畅通台湾青年来大陆发展渠道，扩大两岸青年共同朋友圈和事业圈.
Page 2: There’s a report based on the press briefing by the NBS on May’s economic data. Some key points:
In May, the added value of industrial enterprises above designated size increased by 5.8% year-on-year. In particular, the added value of the equipment manufacturing industry above designated size increased by 9%, and its contribution rate to industrial production reached 54.3%.
The national urban survey unemployment rate was 5% in May, down 0.1 percentage point from the previous month.
In May, the total retail sales of consumer goods increased by 6.4% year-on-year, 1.3 percentage points faster than the previous month. From January to May, the retail sales of services increased by 5.2%, 0.1 percentage points faster than from January to April.
In May, total import and export of goods increased by 2.7% year-on-year, of which exports increased by 6.3%.
Fixed asset investment increased by 3.7%.
In May, the added value of intelligent unmanned aerial vehicle manufacturing and intelligent vehicle equipment manufacturing increased by 85.9% and 29.5%, respectively, and the output of robot reducers and industrial robots increased by 100% and 35.5%, respectively.
In May, the output of new products such as new energy vehicles, tablet computers and electric bicycles increased by 31.7%, 30.9% and 20.5%, respectively.
While we are discussing economic data, this report from Reuters is important. It says:
“New home prices fell 0.2% month-on-month in May after showing no growth the previous month, according to Reuters calculations based on data released by China’s National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). From a year earlier, prices fell 3.5% in May from a 4.0% decline the previous month. Home prices are facing renewed downward pressure following the traditional peak season, driven by a combination of policy factors, market demand, regional disparities and shifting buyer sentiment, said Zhang Dawei, chief analyst at Centaline Property Agency. The property sector, once a key driver of growth for the world’s second-largest economy and accounting for roughly a quarter of economic activity at its peak, holds around 70% of Chinese household wealth…official data on Monday showed property investment fell 10.7% year-on-year, while sales by floor area dropped 2.9% in the January-May period. Home prices are expected to fall nearly 5% this year and are set to remain stagnant in 2026, a Reuters poll showed last month. Though major cities had shown tentative signs of recovery, home prices declined 0.2% in May, ending five consecutive months of 0.1% monthly gains. Meanwhile, smaller Tier 3 and Tier 4 cities extended their trend of decline since May 2023, with prices falling 0.3% in May, more than April's 0.2% decrease. Centaline's Zhang warned that without stronger policy support, the traditional June-August slowdown could see steeper price declines than April-May's fall. He stressed the need for differentiated, city-specific policies targeting various buyer segments.”
Another report on the page informs that the national railway completed fixed asset investment of 242.1 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 5.9%.
Page 3: There’s a report (English report) on the Foreign Ministry congratulating Vietnam for joining as a BRICS partner country.